Kampala, Uganda – Mulago National Referral Hospital has sounded the alarm over a looming staffing and logistical crisis in the wake of the United States government’s decision to end aid funding to Uganda.
The hospital, already operating at only 67% of its required staffing levels, now faces an overwhelming influx of HIV/AIDS patients who were previously receiving treatment under various donor-funded projects.
Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, raised the concerns while appearing before Parliament’s Health Committee to present the hospital’s 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement.
“We see challenges in that because we have staffing shortages, and these clinics are really heavy. Each of the organizations I have talked about sees no less than an average of 50 to 100 patients per day. If all these patients are transferred to us, we will need more staff, space to run the clinics, laboratory services, and an efficient records management system,” Dr. Byanyima told the committee.
She further highlighted the critical role that electronic medical record systems played in donor-funded projects, ensuring proper tracking and follow-up of HIV patients to guarantee adherence to treatment. The absence of such support at Mulago could pose significant challenges to patient care.
Following the directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to halt aid, Mulago Hospital has integrated HIV care into its infectious disease clinic within the medical patient department. While inpatient services for HIV patients continue, the hospital is grappling with logistical issues related to antiretroviral therapy.
“Our medicines and therapeutics committee is gathering all relevant information from partners who were previously handling these services, and we are in touch with the Ministry of Health for guidance,” Dr. Byanyima added.
The abrupt shift in healthcare funding and support has raised concerns among health experts and policymakers, as Uganda has long relied on international partnerships to sustain its HIV/AIDS treatment programs. It remains unclear how the government plans to bridge the gap left by the withdrawal of U.S. aid and ensure uninterrupted care for thousands of patients.
With the country facing an escalating healthcare crisis, stakeholders are calling for urgent government intervention to mitigate the effects of the funding cut and prevent a potential collapse of HIV/AIDS treatment services.
